Getting the 270WSM ready

[JustOneMoreShot]

I have a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 270WSM that was begging for an upgrade over the boring black plastic stock. Before I go an purchase a lightweight and expensive replacement I figured I would try a DIY camo job. I think that it turned out pretty well for my first time attempting something like that.
I have replaced the bolt shroud with an anodized black aluminum piece, the recoil lug, and possibly the best upgrade was the Limbsaver recoil pad. That thing really helps to take the sting out of the light rifle when shooting heavy bullets. I mounted a 20MOA rail and got my new NightForce SHV scope boresighted at the house. I got a range day in over the long weekend to try out Nosler's AccuBond Long Range and Berger 140 and 150 VLD Hunters. To make the day really long in the hot sun I was also trying out Retumbo, H1000, RL22, H4831SC so I had lots of combinations to try. It was really difficult to work on load development with the thin barrel to keep it from getting too hot.
I was borrowing a chronograph and I managed to shoot all day and not destroy it!
Here is the rifle. I will post some groups later as the targets are at the house and I did not take photos of them yet. You can tell me what you think. I got on paper at 100y and then all the three shot groups were done at 200y.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

This range goes out to 330 yards and is on my buddy's hunting property. He had a very sturdy bench and we put a roof over it a few years ago. I was just shooting off the cheap Caldwell bipod in the front and an old bag of sand under the rear of the stock. The bag was in a pair of tied off denim but it started leaking badly so it was placed inside this sack and it was leaking a lot while I was shooting. Not ideal but it was what I had. My buddy has a lead sled at the cabin but I don't like shooting with it at all.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

Here are some of the groupings that I shot. It was a very hot day (90degrees plus). Not much wind perhaps 2-7 mostly into my face and little to none perpendicular to the flight of the bullet. What does everyone think? Which powder charge and bullet would you select? I ran mostly the 150g Nosler AccuBond LongRange and 150g Berger VLD Hunting bullets and all of the photos were of my targets at 200y. I also shot a few of the 140g Bergers but I came home with several of 140 loads not shot because I was hot and tired and needed to get home to the wife and kids.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I wish that I had not put these two separate loads onto the same point of aim. Both groups look really good. Two rounds really really close together with a third round out of the group. I circled the group and then drew an arrow to the "flyer". I like this picture maybe the best.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I assume I pulled this shot to the Left. It is a shame that I couldn't put this one in with the other two. Would have been a really nice group for me at 200y!

 

[HOT ROD]

That's sum pretty good shooting. How much time are U giving between shoots? On the retumbo 68.5. The first pic. What number was the little flyer? Same as the pic number 5. What number was the 2 flyers. My 270 wsm likes 4831sc...

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I would shoot two shots and feel the barrel. If it was really hot then I would wait about 10-15 minutes and shoot the third shot to finish the group. The barrel would then be really hot again. So I would walk down and mark the target and get a drink or snack and wait until the barrel was cool enough for another group. The barrel is too thin to really shoot as much as I did that day. I also brought my 6.5x284 with a heavier barrel. It was really interesting to see how much more resistant the other rifle was to building up heat. Sometimes I would give the 270WSM a rest and shoot something else to allow it to cool. Problem was all I really wanted to do was get all of my various loads shot to be able to look at the data.
Sorry I honestly can't remember which was first, second, and third round of each group. Next time I will draw it in the data book. I did record the order of the shots by a little drawing when I was working up my load data for my .300RUM. Not sure why I did not do it this time.

 

[robby denning]

I like that 61 gr r22 group. There might be some potential there.
To pass the time between shots, I sometime shoot another gun or read. I also have a blank sheet of paper with a target drawn then I mark my shots so I can see if shot order is making a difference.

 

[pyroducksx3]

The wsms seem to do well with the alliant reloader powders. The tikkas seem to really like being pushed hard, so work your loads up and you will probably find the best groups near max. My tikka 300 wsm didnt like bergers or accubonds, did well with barnes but loved hornady ssts. The powder for me was reloader 19. Your camo job is excellent. I couldnt stand the bkack stock either and painted it myself, I think yours is better. This is my 300 yard group. The one to the right was my second shot and knew I pushed it before I even looked through the spotter.
From your pics the 61 gr of rl 22 and accubonds looks like the winner but just one group isnt enough to tell you for sure.

 

[ST52v]

I think you are off to a good start. My t3 light does not like a hot barrel. Finding max in those temps should help you avoid loads becoming to hot on hot days. How were your velocities? Did you find anything with a low es. I would try the 70 gr of retumbo and 150 bergers. I would try the same load again and then a few groups with the seating depth changed a little. Those vld can be picky. You are using good brass so I assuming you are controlling neck tension and shoulder bump to some degree? Keep us posted and I need to get back to my load development for my t3 7 mag.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

Thanks for the positive comments and suggestions guys. I have all of the velocities recorded in my range folder and can post them tomorrow. What I may try to do is pick three loads and shoot three different three shot groups each at 300y. Perhaps the 61g RL22 150g ABLR, 70g Retumbo 150g Berger, 68.5g Retumbo 150g Berger. As far as seating depth I have them at absolute max magazine length. I could take the spring and follower out of the plastic mag and dremel out a little more room but I am concerned it will look and turn out horrible. The mag could be adjusted to allow more OAL of the cartridge. I have already adjusted the bolt stop to allow the bolt more rearward travel to allow for longer cartridges (Tikka actions are one size and not a short action for the short action calibers).
My rifle only shot the H4831SC powder ok not as good as some of the other powder/bullet combinations.
I have developed good loads with Retumbo and H1000 for my .300RUM so if Retumbo wins in the 270WSM I may try and buy a good bulk of it to never run out again!

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I did make a mistake not recording the order of the impacts on the targets. Next time I will write a little number 1 next to the first shot then 2 and so on...
The Dall hunt can't get here soon enough!

 

[HOT ROD]

U mite find a shorter oal. Just mite me the ticket. My 270wsm shoots the Berger seated a lot shorter. Than the rest of my loads..

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

Here are some of my recorded velocities out of a borrowed (old model) Shooting F1 Chrony:

61g RL22 150g Nosler AccuBond LR: 2751, 2776, 2761

70g Retumbo 150g Berger VLD Hunting: 3178, 3133, Error1

68.5g Retumbo 150g Berger VLD Hunting: 3152, 3094, 3109

I shot the 270WSM 69 times and the chrony failed to record just 3 times but of course it was in one of the best groups!

I would rather shoot the Berger bullets because I trust the BC data more than I do the Nosler BC data. I have read on other forums that the Nosler Long Range bullet BC data is overhyped and not accurate. I could run out to a 700y range that I can shoot at and verify my drop data and true up the BC and figure out the true BC on the Nosler bullet. Which is what I would do anyway with the Berger bullet as well. But it just annoys me that they would advertise it incorrectly and make people believe that it is better than the true value.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

pyroducksx3 That is a great group at 300y. I am happy that I got my courage up to paint the stock. I figured that if I did not like it I could try and strip it all off with paint thinner or something. Last resort is just to buy a better and more rigid stock. But it came out great and was super cheap and easy to do.
I don't have any RL 19. But I was lucky enough to find another pound of RL22 at a store on the way home from the range on Memorial Day.
All of the loads I tested were at the top end of the charges listed in the Nosler or Berger book and then I went 0.5g over.

 

[KMD]

If it ain't the wind causing it, that horizontal stringing is likely the loose nut behind the trigger. Don't take that personal, just sayin' to not fret over the horiztonal deviation so much when testing loads. If theres a bad flyer, well outside the cluster, that's another issue. But focus more on the vertical and uniform shape of your groups and you will find happiness!
Keep in mind, shooting consistently <MOA @200yds is plenty acceptablefor a near factory hunting setup, so don't go chasing a 'one holer' pot o' gold that might not be there. IMHO, if you are <MOA and gettin' good velocity from your chosen bullet, roll wit it!

Nice little rig there, I like what ya done with it!!!

P.S. I'd shoot that 70gr Retumbo/150VLD load again to prove it. That nice, evenly distributed group is what I'd be looking for, and the speed is plenty good!

 

[AZ Vince]

RL 22 seems to be the better powder based on your velocities and standard deviation.

 

[KMD]

RL 22 seems to be the better powder based on your velocities and standard deviation.

I'm at a loss to see how the one posted RL-22 load could possibly be the "better" option, as compared to the slower burn powders used?
I've always been of the school to use the slowest burning, most case filling powder as possible. A full case with complete powder burn makes for a stable, happy load...

In the data posted, RL-22 is netting ~ 350fps SLOWER velocity, with same weight (150gr) bullets, based on his numbers.
Failing to see what is making RL-22 "better" enough to accept such a huge velocity penalty? Certainly it isn't group size, as the 70gr Retumbo load is hanging right there with the 61gr RL-22 load in the accuracy dept.

I'd advise against picking a load simply based on ES numbers. Chronys can, will, and DO lie! But they are handy for getting comparative speed data. Which in this case, clearly shows the slower burning Retumbo to have a tremendous velocity advantage over the faster burning Alliant powder...

 

[Shrek]

I wouldn't even consider the RL22 load at that velocity. The RL22 is known to be more temp sensitive and you are building the loads in the heat of Georgia. Come winter the RL will drop off more than a full case of Retumbo which will increase velocity disparity even more. Those RL22 velocities are 270 win quality and not wsm standards. Look for some H1000 to try also.

 

[Stid2677]

I had good luck with Mag Pro in my 270WSM, I would try some R17 as well. R17 is very temp stable and has given me some great loads in my 325WSM, 300WSM, 30-06 and 280AI